Finding the fun in Cache Valley
As the semester continues and homework loads increase, many students look for means to relieve stress. However, many students are new to Cache Valley and aren’t familiar with some of the recreational activities available. “Go up to the third floor of the TSC and talk to a member of the ASUSU student government,” Hamilton said. “They are incredibly well-connected and also very open and friendly.”
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“I have no idea what there is to do around here,” said Corie Jackson, an undeclared freshman.
“I don’t know what is going on.”
Some students feel it just requires a little effort and getting used to in order to have a good time and an active social life.
“If you’re willing to go out and look for things, there is so much that Logan has to offer,” said Jessica Bedingfield, a sophomore majoring in political science and journalism. “Get to know the locals.”
“You just have to be a ‘yes man,'” said Spencer Harris, a senior majoring in environmental soil and water science. “Just say ‘yes’ to every opportunity and activity. It will open up your choices as far as what you can do. Even if you aren’t really interested, you’ve still got to try it at least once.”
Kinzie Hamilton, a sophomore majoring in journalism, said she credits her ability to find things to do not only to having grown up in Cache Valley, but due to her outgoing personality.
“I’m just not shy,” Hamilton said. “If you’re outgoing and make friends, you are more likely to find out about things than you will be if you’re okay to just stay home.”
Harris is not a native of Cache Valley, but said he didn’t have a very difficult time finding things to do upon starting his studies at USU.
“It definitely helps when you have roommates that are from the area or have been studying at USU long enough to know what is going on,” said Harris. “If not, you’ve got to make friends. Just be friendly and make friends with people that will invite you to stuff. I would never know what to do on a Friday or Saturday night if I didn’t know people. It’s all about acquaintances.”
Hamilton said she participates in a wide range of activities such as hooking up a shopping cart to a truck and drawing with sidewalk chalk in the walking tunnels on campus.
“There is a lot of stuff that anyone can do,” she said. “There is trivia night at the Beehive Grill. It is Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., but people start going at about six. You can watch or go join a team or bring your own, just as many as you can fit around a table. It’s free and you can win gift cards for businesses.”
Hamilton said she also suggests those new to Cache Valley should attend 80’s Skate Nights at the Cache Valley Fun Park, discount bowling at Logan Lanes on Tuesday nights, discount movies at the Cinefour Theater and Citrus and Sage’s monthly jam nights.
“Karaoke night at Pizza Pie Cafe is a lot of fun,” she said. “You always have a good time and don’t have to be a good singer or anything. People don’t really take it seriously and you can just go have a good time. It’s accessible to anyone.”
Many students feel that Cache Valley is a great place for outdoor activities such as boating and hiking.
“I really like Hyrum Dam,” Bedingfield said. “I like that it’s big enough that you can go kayaking, but it’s not the size of Bear Lake so you’re not on the water for 20 hours. You can go explore new terrain and areas. There are also a whole bunch of hikes in the Wellsvilles that I didn’t even know about. You can also kayak Benson Marina, First Dam and the Oneida narrows.”
One resource that USU has to offer is the Outdoor Recreation Program. Hamilton said this program offers a large number of activities such as weekend trips, rock climbing, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing.
“It’s geared for people that are new to the valley,” said Hamilton.
Bedingfield said she also participated in the Outdoor Recreation Program.
“You can rent kayaks from the ORP,” she said. “You just go and show your ID and you can rent stuff for really cheap. It’s up behind the stadium.”
Newcomers to Cache Valley can experience challenges as they look for ways to have fun. According to Hamilton, Harris and Bedingfield, making new friends is a key to finding things to do.